Amadeus To Follow U.S. GDS Content-For-Fee Approach

Amadeus next month will launch its Content Plus program, joining its global distribution competitors in adopting the now-universal GDS model that guarantees U.S. subscribers access to "full content" while shielding them from airline fees, the GDS said today. Amadeus said it would launch the program on Jan. 1, when it will automatically enroll all U.S. subscribers in the program.

To recover reduced costs to airlines, Amadeus said subscribers will "incur a content access fee of up to $0.80 per net booked segment" in exchange for content from participating carriers, including Delta, Northwest, United and US Airways. The GDS said it is working toward long-term agreements to gain program participation from other major carriers.

"Amadeus has always stated that subsequent changes to the business model will be guided by the further evolution of the marketplace. As a result of market dynamics and associated economics, Amadeus is introducing Amadeus Content Plus, a program designed to fit the realities of the current marketplace," Amadeus North America president and CEO Kay Urban said today in a statement.